"Tell me, Diarmuid dear." Morgana leaned her head against his shoulder. "How did you become so handsome?"

Diarmuid tried to stifle his laugh. "Lady Morgana, I'm not...that handsome. In fact, I rather think Sir Gawain is much better looking than me."

"I beg to differ and he's my cousin, he's not much of a treasure, I can assure you that." She grimaced, holding the bridge of her nose as if in disgust. "He's a nuisance if anything. You, on the other hand, are a breath of fresh air in the stuffiness of the castle."

"And Merlin?"

Morgana laughed and playfully slapped his arm, pulling away from him. "I love him dearly, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy your company." She pushed her hair over her shoulder and offered him a brighter smile. "In any case, I am so glad that you got to meet my handmaid Lily. It was about time you two met."

"I'd never seen her around the castle before, it was a surprise to meet her," Diarmuid mumbled.

Morgana nodded, leaning on his shoulder again. "I like to keep her hidden. She is such a jewel, I don't like her being coveted by the knights. You know knights nowadays just love to infatuate and bed the poor maids with promises of eternal love and whatnot."

Diarmuid nodded. "Yes..."

"Oh, but not you, dear, you're as pure as the driven snow."

He scoffed. "Might I remind you of my reputation?"

Morgana shook her head. "No need for that, love, I know it much too well." Then she pulled him slightly closer. "Oh, Dia dear, did you know Lily is such a charming lady?"

Lily nudged Morgana and shot her a short glare.

Diarmuid offered a courteous smile.

"She helps me out of the suffocating confines of the palace and is such a wonderful company. She's not much of a house lady, really, her cooking isn't the best, she would probably burn the palace down if left unattended."

Lily coughed.

"But," Morgana wrapped an arm around Lily's, "she loves to hunt and that cute little smile of hers when she walks the woods; it is simply a sight to behold. Plus, she's handy with a sword, and I feel safer with her than any other knight. If women were allowed to be knights, I'm absolutely certain she'd be the general."

Diarmuid spared Lily a glance. Her face was flushed and her arms were crossed over her chest. It was strange, how she acted with Lady Morgana as if they were best friends rather than mistress and servant. It seemed refreshing, a person that Morgana could confide in without feeling pressured.

"Would she beat me in a fight?" He asked.

"Why, certainly." Morgana grinned before she stopped to think for a second. "Well, then again, maybe you'd tie, right Lily?"

Lily uttered a short 'yes' before turning her head away from them, letting her step fall just behind the pair as her arm slipped from Morgana's hold.

Diarmuid had barely noticed her absence through Morgana's shameless flirting and stories. It wasn't long before he realized she wasn't walking with them. He turned, spotting Lily crouched down by a plant.

"Lily," Morgana called.

Lily's eyes remained on the flowers, as if in a trance. She didn't respond to her name, she didn't even blink.

"Lily, what are you doing there?" Morgana crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't you think it's rude of you to be all disinterested with our company? He's possibly the most beautiful sight to behold here and you pay him no heed?"

Finally, she seemed to snap out of the trance. "Sorry my lady, the flowers just seem so lovely in full bloom, don't you think? Forgive me for my imprudence, I didn't mean to offend Sir Diarmuid."

Diarmuid smiled at the sight of her sincerity but knew the latter part of her excuse was meant to stab at him. She looked cute, sitting by the flowers, her eyes so vibrantly green. She looked full of wonder, almost as if she'd never seen a flower blooming before.

Diarmuid slipped from Morgana's arm and stepped towards Lily. "I would rather you pay attention to the beauty around you than me. The forest is a million times lovelier than any man." He offered her a hand, wishing to help her up from the forest floor.

Lily stared at his hand, her cheeks flushed and she pushed herself up, denying his hand. "I can handle myself."

"And so you can." Diarmuid wasn't offended, instead, he leaned down and plucked one of the flowers she had been staring at. "Would you let me?" He asked.

She furrowed her brows. "Let you what?"

"She doesn't mind," Morgana interjected, sly smile on her lips while she puffed out her chest.

Diarmuid smiled and placed the blue flower in her hair, resting it on her ear. "It looks prettier on you than it does adorning the fields.."

Lily's eyes widened, her heart might've skipped a beat but she scolded it before she cleared her throat. "We should continue..." Her voice faded before she brushed past him to reach Morgana.

He didn't let his smile waver, in fact, he thought Lily was cute. Her strong demeanour didn't throw him off or anything, instead, he found it refreshing. There was something about her that seemed so awfully familiar, however, he couldn't pinpoint what. All he knew was that it was in her eyes, the familiarity he felt.

"Dia, dear," Morgana called, snapping the man out of his trance. "Aren't you coming?"

"Yes." His lips stretched in a carefree smile.

—•—

The rest of the walk went swimmingly. Diarmuid very much enjoyed the company of the two ladies and they his. There wasn't much that they talked about, most of the conversations were Morgana hitting on Diarmuid and talking so highly of Lily.

They slowed to a stop in front of the city side gates, where mostly the knights entered and left. It was afternoon now, the sun high in the sky, warm and refreshing all the same. It didn't seem like the day would get any hotter and for that they were thankful.

Morgana gasped, slapping a hand to her head. "Oh my! Diarmuid, dear, would you please do me the favour of taking Lily to her home? I forgot I had to help Merlin with a dire issue!"

"Morgana," Lily glared at the princess. "Do you not know how dangerous it is to go all by yourself to the castle?"

"Nonsense!" Morgana swatted her hand in the air. She placed on her cloak after taking it from Lily's arms. She pulled up the hood and gave a bright smirk. "I just have to hide under my cloak and no trouble shall come to me. I'm not a princess in distress." Morgana gave the younger woman a levelled look. "Need I remind you, dearest sis—servant, Lily, I am the best sorceress in all of the Isles!" She bopped her on the nose.

"Morgana, do not be like that to me. You need someone to be by you, especially with this Youth business."

Diarmuid frowned, brushing off how familiar Lily was with Morgana, not addressing her in the appropriate title, or with as much respect as was due. He opted to speak. "Lily is right, my lady, you are the King's sister, you should be protected at all times."

"As a princess I order you two to let me be," she huffed, "Diarmuid, you are to take Lily to her home. I will conjure an invisibility spell to go to the palace undetected. No one will know I'll be walking the streets. Is that better?"

"But my Lady, I sti—"

"Diarmuid, may I speak to my maid alone?" Morgana interrupted him. "I can definitely assure you that I will be completely alright."

Lily frowned and made her way to Morgana once Diarmuid had taken some steps away from them. Her stern face immediately turned furious. "What are you playing at?"

"Me?" Morgana drew a delicate hand to her chest, tilting her head and raising an eyebrow in the process. "Oh nothing, Artie. What possibly could I be doing?"

"I'm no idiot," Lily, or rather Arthur, gritted her teeth. "I don't have a home! The Palace is my home."

"Take this as a time you get to be with Diarmuid, as yourself. Don't you want that?"

"Are you bloody insane? No. God, no!"

Morgana offered an even look.

"I told you. I bloody told you this was not a good idea. I will never ever let you convince me to do this again. We are going back to the castle now and I will put that damned ring on and life will carry as it has for years."

Morgana rolled her eyes.

"Don't you dare give me that attitude. I am your K—We will settle your punishment at home."

"What? You can't possibly be serious. You're punishing me? What for? Trying to set you up with the man you like?"

"Like? Morgana, I don't like him. I can't like him. Whatever on earth it is you're trying, it needs to cease. We command you."

"Command?" Morgana's questioning, a judgemental, accusatory eyebrow rose. "You command me?" It didn't even faze her if Diarmuid was listening to them or not. "As your elder sister, I demand your respect, you might be—" she hushed her voice more—"the king, but you will always be my little sister."

"Morgana, I swear—"

"Diarmuid!" Morgana gave Arturia a sly look as the man turned to face them.

He'd heard their scuffle but did not try to decipher their incoherent whispers. "Yes, my lady?"

"My dearest, please be sure to take her safely home. She's a bit upset with me because I want to go back to the castle, but don't mind her. I don't want anyone to bother her on her way home, so please do take her. She lives in the cabin by the river, the one a few ways away from here."

Diarmuid caught the mortified expression on Lily's face. Her features were twisted between anger and horror, she looked livid.

"I really don't need anyone to take me, Morgana."

"Nonsense!" She patted Arthur's arm. "Diarmuid is such a gentleman he would never, ever let you go on all by yourself. It wouldn't be right."

"Lady Morgana is right, Lady Lily, it would be best for me to take you. As I can see, Lady Morgana is very protective over you and she would be devastated if any harm would come to you."

Lily shot Morgana a glare. "I am ever thankful for your concern, Sir Diarmuid, but as the many times I have denied your help, I shall do so again. I propose that we take Lady Morgana to the castle."

Diarmuid nodded. Then he took a deep breath, looking between Morgana and her maid as they exchanged glances and looks. "Should I leave? I have the feeling I might be unwanted."

"No!" Both the ladies flinched.

"Don't be foolish!" Morgana stepped towards him and hooked her arm around his. "You are more than welcome to be with us. You see, I just need to scurry back to Merlin. As much as adore your company and your sweet face, I do have a duty to my betrothed. We are on our way to finding you a proper solution, my dear."

"Morgana—" Lily reached out for Morgana, but with no more than a wave after slipping from Diarmuid's grip and giving him a kiss on the cheek, the Princess was gone.

Lily groaned. "Why does she always do that?" She muttered under her breath.

Diarmuid cleared his throat. "Would you prefer if I left you alone, Lady Lily?"

"You needn't address me as a lady, I'm not a Lady, I haven't been awarded such title."

"Any woman is a Lady in my eyes," Diarmuid murmured.

"Even Youth?" Lily raised an eyebrow, something near jealousy laced her words but Diarmuid didn't notice.

He nodded. "Even Youth."

"We could simply walk to the castle if you'd prefer. Lady Morgana seemed to have forgotten I needed to run a few errands for her there." Lily plucked out the blue flower from her hair. "And it'll be on your way."

Diarmuid nodded. "If that is what you wish, my lady."